With in-country coordinators, tailored global pathways, scholarship grants, and a youth advisory panel, SWAP ensures seamless, empowering cultural journeys since 1975.
Toronto, ON – July 21, 2025 — SWAP Working Holidays, recognized as Canada’s longest-running cultural exchange organization since its founding in 1975, celebrates 50 years of enabling transformative global experiences for young Canadians. To date, SWAP has supported over 76,000 participants across 11 countries, offering 19 specialized programs spanning working holidays, internships, volunteer placements, teach-abroad roles, and language immersion experiences.
What began in 1975 as a pilot with just seven Canadians traveling to New Zealand has evolved into a full-service platform. SWAP manages all essential logistics – including visas, insurance, employer coordination, and arrival orientation – ensuring each journey abroad is smooth, secure, and enriching. Current destinations include Australia, Japan, the USA, Ireland, the UK, New Zealand, Thailand, Austria, and Costa Rica.
“Our goal has always been to give young Canadians life-changing international experiences,” explains Nicole, Director at SWAP. “Nearly five decades in, we still witness how such experiences broaden perspectives and lay the foundation for future success.”
Why SWAP truly makes a difference:
- Local Coordinators You Can Rely On: In each destination, SWAP teams up with on-site coordinators who do much more than paperwork. These coordinators are mentors and problem-solvers, ensuring every participant feels personally supported and ready to engage with local communities.
- Programs That Match Your Ambitions: SWAP offers 19 structured programs tailored to real interests and ambitions. Each program blends meaningful work with cultural immersion, designed to foster personal growth through new challenges and local connections.
- Scholarship With a Genuine Impact: Through the Youth Access Scholarship Fund-powered by 5 % of JENZA Travel Group’s profits-SWAP awards meaningful financial support to young Canadians. In 2025 alone, applicants competing for these grants can secure up to CAD 1,000 toward their dream work-abroad program in Ireland, Japan, or Australia. The deadline is August 5, 2025.
- Youth-Led Advisory for Real Innovation: SWAP’s Youth Advisory Panel-made up of young Canadians-works to keep all programs fresh and relevant. Panelists help shape every aspect, from cultural immersions to regional offerings, ensuring SWAP’s opportunities evolve with the interests and needs of today’s youth.
- Trusted IEC Recognition: As a designated Recognized Organization under Canada’s International Experience Canada (IEC) program, SWAP holds official status to operate work-and-travel initiatives for participants worldwide.
SWAP Joins Global Collaboration
In January 2025, SWAP joined forces with IENA and JENZA Travel Group-units of the JENZA Travel Group and 3A Management-to create a global work-travel powerhouse. While operating independently, the alliance enhances SWAP’s capacity to deliver end-to-end support in Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia, and Ireland.
About SWAP Working Holidays:
Headquartered in Toronto, with regional offices in Vancouver, SWAP has been facilitating international experiences since 1975. To date, over 76,000 Canadians have embraced SWAP adventures abroad. The organization remains committed to its vision: to unlock personal growth and cross-cultural understanding through immersive travel. Learn more at www.swap.ca.
Media Contact:
Organization: SWAP Working Holidays
Phone Number: (289) 804-3733
Email: [email protected]